Welcome back, NCAA Women’s Final Four

Express-News Editorial Board

Published
4:39 pm CDT, Thursday, September 27, 2018

Left to right, Caroline Doty, Maya Moore, Tiffany Hayes and associate coach Chris Dailey of the Connecticut Huskies celebrate following their victory over the Baylor Bears during the Women's Final Four Semifinals at the Alamodome on April 4, 2010 in San Antonio. The Alamodome will host the women’s Final Four in 2021.

Left to right, Caroline Doty, Maya Moore, Tiffany Hayes and associate coach Chris Dailey of the Connecticut Huskies celebrate following their victory over the Baylor Bears during the Women's Final Four

Left to right, Caroline Doty, Maya Moore, Tiffany Hayes and associate coach Chris Dailey of the Connecticut Huskies celebrate following their victory over the Baylor Bears during the Women's Final Four Semifinals at the Alamodome on April 4, 2010 in San Antonio. The Alamodome will host the women’s Final Four in 2021.

Left to right, Caroline Doty, Maya Moore, Tiffany Hayes and associate coach Chris Dailey of the Connecticut Huskies celebrate following their victory over the Baylor Bears during the Women's Final Four

The NCAA Women’s Final Four will return to San Antonio in 2021. This will mark the third time the Alamo City hosts the most prestigious event in women’s college athletics. San Antonio hosted the Women’s Final Four in 2010 and 2002, setting an attendance record.

Interest in San Antonio from the NCAA faltered after that, in large part because of the Alamodome’s age. It simply could not compete with newer venues.

But all that changed after the city invested roughly $60 million in upgrades to the dome (through event revenue, a portion of the hotel occupancy tax and donations by the Valero Alamo Bowl). These upgrades, coupled with the River Walk, newer downtown development and an expansion of the Convention Center, put San Antonio back in the game. The dome might be older, but it’s much improved, and the intimacy of downtown is a special experience for visitors.

The city hosted the 2018 NCAA Men’s Final Four to resounding success. The event went so well, the NCAA is bringing the Men’s Final Four back to San Antonio in 2025.

Credit for this goes to city leaders, but especially Jenny Carnes, the executive director of San Antonio’s Local Organizing Committee, who made the winning pitch.

Or should we say hit the winning shot?

San Antonio is a basketball town. The community looks forward to welcoming back the NCAA Women’s Final Four. It’s been far too long.